Yawn ... Could Your Tiredness Mean More Than You Think?

Are you feeling exhausted? I am, but that's because I'm nearing the final days of my pregnancy (baby due any day now!). But if you're finding yourself yawning a little more than usual, it might be time to take a look at what your sleepiness may be telling you--about your health...

Are you feeling exhausted? I am, but that's because I'm nearing the final days of my pregnancy (baby due any day now!). But if you're finding yourself yawning a little more than usual, it might be time to take a look at what your sleepiness may be telling you--about your health...

****According to the women's health experts over at WebMD, there are seven things to be concerned about when you've felt tired for a little too long:

__Anemia:__In addition to being tired, do you sometimes feel dizzy, cold and irritable? It could be anemia. Your doc can give you a simple blood test to rule out causes of anemia, which include "internal bleeding, or a deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12. Anemia may also be caused by chronic diseases like kidney disease, for example."

__Thyroid issues:__Feeling run down, tired, sluggish, and maybe even a little blue? Talk to your doctor about your thyroid. A slow thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, can be to blame. According to statistics, as many as 17 percent of women will be diagnosed with a thyroid problem by the time they reach the age of 60. (Hey everyone, I suffer from hypothyroidism, so I'm very familiar with this! And, a side note: dry skin and weight gain can also be symptoms of thyroid problems. No fear: Treatment is very easy. I just take a pill everyday. No biggie.)

__UTI:__Now, a urinary tract infection is probably the last thing you'd blame your tiredness on, but experts say it can be a factor. Some women can even get an infection without the usual symptoms, just tiredness. So mention it to your doc, if you're concerned or have a history of UTIs.

__Too much caffeine:__While it may make most of us buzz, for some women, caffeine can have the opposite effect. Pay attention to how caffeine affects you, and consider cutting it out of your diet and seeing how it affects your energy levels.

Food allergies: I know someone who felt icky and tired all the time, until she cut out gluten from her diet. It was like an instant health makeover. If you suspect that food is the culprit, experts say try an elimination diet, where you can narrow down what may be making you tired and sluggish and generally giving you that yuck feeling.

Sleep apnea and undiagnosed heart disease are two other serious health conditions that may leave you feeling sleepy. If you're yawning too much, talk to your doc about these, and the above. Wishing you more energy soon!

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Yawning today? What's the trigger for you? Too much socializing? Studying? Work? Worry? Do you suspect that it may be any of the above?